I'll pay a solid price for a pre-order of the game with nice perks. But for me I can't see dishing out $50 or $100 to play in a games alpha/beta stages and when we still don't know that much on it. Plus you consider this sounds like a pre-order for beta access, not a pre-order of the actual game that happens to add beta access.
Now I loved EQ1 and EQ2 in their day but SoE has still has a lot of my trust to regain after destroying Vanguard which could have been the next big thing we were all playing now if they didn't force it out well before it was ready. With that and the changes to EQ2 and EQ1 over the many years dumbing stuff down I can't warrant that extra cost yet.
I'll wait and see. Plus I'm really waiting on EQN, EQNL is just a stepping stone at best for me.
What pre-order?! The game is FREE to play when it goes live. There will be no fixed price to buy the game. However I can understand you not wanting to spend money atm so waiting might be best for you.
The software companies have now convinced people that it's in their best interest to pay the developers for Alpha/Beta access by making them believe that they have an influence on the games design and quality.
Here is some news for all of you. You have no influence on them whatsoever. You are here to provide extra cash while the game is not even released yet. If it's not a feature they already thought about they will not implement it just because a few Alpha players want it. You will not influence anything at all, the game will still release way too early with way too many bugs and you all be crying and writing it off after a few months.
Specifically in this case where the game is FREE TO PLAY it's insane to give them the equivalent of a full price AAA release or even more!
I will never support any game that does these kind of early access packs. Paying up to $100 to test the game for them and for a few cosmetic, meaningless items in a game is completely crazy!
I have played in tons of closed betas and the player base has had an influence on all of them. SC2, WoW, DAOC, Vanguard, Shadow Bane etc. You are crazy if you think they won't listen to the player base during development.
I am paying my $20 for no other reason than the early access though. I am almost done with TSW and have struggled to find other games to play. To me it is fully worth $20 to start playing a couple months early. I don't know why anyone has some huge issue with that. I expect to get at least as much fun out of Landmark as I do going out to the bars one night, the price is about the same.
I said that if it's not a feature planned already or has been deemed financially viable by them they won't implement it. Don't kid yourself, look back on the influences and tell me just one that was drastic enough to be a game changer.
$20 is fine, that is along the likes of indie games or kickstarters, i don't see a problem with that. It's the $50 and up that i think is nothing but a way to extract money from people. The worthless shit they add to these $100 founders packs is what gets me, as if any of it is worth even a penny.
"Give players systems and tools instead of rails and rules"
I will likely get the Settlers package for Christmas. So much garbage has come out lately that I am more than happy to send them a tiny bit to get in the game a month or two early and give it a go. Won't be the first time I spent $20 to get into a game early and probably won't be the last, it isn't some big deal. I'd rather see this pay model than make me pay $60 up front and $15 a month which is the insane pay model that people seem to accept.
That's what I find funny some of these people who gladly spend $60+ dollars and $15 monthly to play when it goes live. But an MMO comes along and gives the option to play on Closed Beta for as cheap as $20 and will NOT cost a dime to play because it will be FREE to play when it does actually go Live... they scream they are getting ripped off. It defies logic.
The software companies have now convinced people that it's in their best interest to pay the developers for Alpha/Beta access by making them believe that they have an influence on the games design and quality.
Here is some news for all of you. You have no influence on them whatsoever. You are here to provide extra cash while the game is not even released yet. If it's not a feature they already thought about they will not implement it just because a few Alpha players want it. You will not influence anything at all, the game will still release way too early with way too many bugs and you all be crying and writing it off after a few months.
Specifically in this case where the game is FREE TO PLAY it's insane to give them the equivalent of a full price AAA release or even more!
I will never support any game that does these kind of early access packs. Paying up to $100 to test the game for them and for a few cosmetic, meaningless items in a game is completely crazy!
I have played in tons of closed betas and the player base has had an influence on all of them. SC2, WoW, DAOC, Vanguard, Shadow Bane etc. You are crazy if you think they won't listen to the player base during development.
I am paying my $20 for no other reason than the early access though. I am almost done with TSW and have struggled to find other games to play. To me it is fully worth $20 to start playing a couple months early. I don't know why anyone has some huge issue with that. I expect to get at least as much fun out of Landmark as I do going out to the bars one night, the price is about the same.
I'm quite interested in hearing about about your closed beta influences.
Originally posted by Telondariel I'm quite interested in hearing about about your closed beta influences.
I didn't say mine, I said the player base. Pretty much every caster in SC2 went through massive changes based on user feedback. In WoW they completely removed invisibility from Wizards. They took away rage on demand from warriors, revamped Mortal Strike, lowered XP in dungeons, made mobs easier, took bucklers out of the game etc. DAOC changed how dark the night was. Shadowbane revamped the crowd control system etc. These games change a ton in beta based on player feedback.
Originally posted by Telondariel I'm quite interested in hearing about about your closed beta influences.
I didn't say mine, I said the player base. Pretty much every caster in SC2 went through massive changes based on user feedback. In WoW they completely removed invisibility from Wizards. They took away rage on demand from warriors, revamped Mortal Strike, lowered XP in dungeons, made mobs easier, took bucklers out of the game etc. DAOC changed how dark the night was. Shadowbane revamped the crowd control system etc. These games change a ton in beta based on player feedback.
Congrats.
I think what the potential players can take away from the Alpha/pre-Beta hype is that there are paid players who have a truly invested interest.
Oh, as an aside, I would like to mention that It is fairly well recognized that you like to stir the pot without any real substance. Let's go HERE, as one example of many. I'm looking forward to a reasonable reply.
Personally speaking, I have nothing wrong with Founders packs in principle. But, that being said, I wont ever buy one. Why on earth would I spend money to play the same game everyone else plays for free? You really arent getting anything for that money, its all cosmetic, or alittle convenience, but I have all the time in the world. So getting a head start, or starting with a better tool is meaningless to me personally, but I have nothing against those who feel they need to pay for the same thing.
In the end, a company is a company. Their main goal will always be to make money. The better ones just give you your moneys worth and not rip you off. I dont believe anything SOE is doing here is a ripoff, and for those who dont want to spend money, or cant afford it, you are not missing out on anything.
I actually love founders packs like this, because now when I travel the world, every time I see one of those silly flags, I will just laugh at knowing that person spent real money, when I havent spent a dime (its like one of those Tshirts... I paid for the game and all I got was this Flag)
If no consumer paid anything in Free to Play mmo's, they would not exist. Why are you laughing at the people responsible for keeping the game free to play for people like you? You really should be thanking those people that have those flags up.
I could start calling people like you cheap-azzes, and inconsiderate and immoral and poor and bla bla bla... but i'm a better man. I just hope you take the literal 2 seconds it takes to understand people like myself are here to pay for these games so you can keep playing.
Was considering spending the station cash I received as part of my founder's pack for Dragon's Prophet (God damn what a horrible mistake that was) on the cheapest one, but lo and behold, it's mysteriously vanished from my account. The transaction for the founder's pack is still listed, just no SC.
Sony has yet to replay to my support ticket, but needless to say if they refuse to restore what I paid for, they'll never be seeing a penny of my money ever again, and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll make sure to tell everyone who's even remotely interested in anything they produce all about it.
I'd rather it not come to that, though...
AN' DERE AIN'T NO SUCH FING AS ENUFF DAKKA, YA GROT! Enuff'z more than ya got an' less than too much an' there ain't no such fing as too much dakka. Say dere is, and me Squiggoff'z eatin' tonight!
We are born of the blood. Made men by the blood. Undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. FEAR THE OLD BLOOD.
Originally posted by remyburke Despite how much I want this game to be great, I just have a really bad feeling that this is a major cash grab. I'm waiting.
If you look at what SOE has done with EQ1 and EQ2 recently, you'll see a pattern.
I bought the Trailblazer pack because I have the extra income to spend what I want when I want. Especially when it comes to my gaming hobby so there you go. I think it's worth the price of early access, not to mention all of the awesome perks and items you get with the packs. I look forward to looking like a noble bad ass while I mine materials.
Originally posted by Telondariel I'm quite interested in hearing about about your closed beta influences.
I didn't say mine, I said the player base. Pretty much every caster in SC2 went through massive changes based on user feedback. In WoW they completely removed invisibility from Wizards. They took away rage on demand from warriors, revamped Mortal Strike, lowered XP in dungeons, made mobs easier, took bucklers out of the game etc. DAOC changed how dark the night was. Shadowbane revamped the crowd control system etc. These games change a ton in beta based on player feedback.
Oh, so you're the one that ruined those games. J/K. One thing I keep getting confused on with EQL (mostly from forum battle over whether 40/60 split for made items is fair) is the people arguing seemed to be working off different data from the same article. Those supporting it thought that the creators that sell items was using all SOE software /tools to create, but the opposed said that creators needed all out of game programs/tools and many were expensive and needed training to use well.
Just wanted a clear up of this because it make me wonder at how EQL is going to play out. It seems only a small amount of players would have the software or xtra money to get it or skills needed to use. So what are the other players doing in game. Just making buildings with Landmark tools and then tearing it down and making more stuff. I know they might be adding combat after launch (PvP, mob based pve, resource control? Didn't see anything conclusive about it. Maybe missed it). It's f2p, so they have to make money so selling land? CS for better tools? Maybe because I've never played minecraft (though have other buildish type games), I'm not seeing the long-term appeal to what they are offering.
Sorry, I've gone off-point. To OP, I don't support paying to beta or early access, but don't see the harm in other doing so, as it is a way to support game and get something for it. I prefer to support game through subs. Its kinda nice to have f2p to try it and then sub if you want full game with no CS, but most f2p games have community troubles. Besides the asshats that join just to mess with people, most f2pers are tourists that play for a bit and leave when the next new game comes out, maybe returning on occasion. You can't build a solid community with people coming and going so much. Well, I'm rambling again. I just hope EQN turns out well.
Originally posted by TelondarielI'm quite interested in hearing about about your closed beta influences.
I didn't say mine, I said the player base. Pretty much every caster in SC2 went through massive changes based on user feedback. In WoW they completely removed invisibility from Wizards. They took away rage on demand from warriors, revamped Mortal Strike, lowered XP in dungeons, made mobs easier, took bucklers out of the game etc. DAOC changed how dark the night was. Shadowbane revamped the crowd control system etc. These games change a ton in beta based on player feedback.
Congrats.
I think what the potential players can take away from the Alpha/pre-Beta hype is that there are paid players who have a truly invested interest.
Oh, as an aside, I would like to mention that It is fairly well recognized that you like to stir the pot without any real substance. Let's go HERE, as one example of many. I'm looking forward to a reasonable reply.
So the fact I tend to disagree with you means I like to stir the pot? We view games from a very different viewpoint is all it means. Very few of my posts are negative, I tend to give game developers the benefit of the doubt. YOu seem to be a poster that assumes you are being deceived for no reason other than that the devs exist to make money. There is a pretty huge middle ground here.
Seriously though, your idea of me liking to stir the pot is to link to the fact I have disagreed on you on one specific subject multiple times? Give me a break.
I have played in tons of closed betas and the player base has had an influence on all of them. SC2, WoW, DAOC, Vanguard, Shadow Bane etc. You are crazy if you think they won't listen to the player base during development.
Some people are just an amazing asset during the beta phase, and it definitely gets recognized. When I worked for IGN, the beta forums for various games is where I found several of the people I hired to contribute to the fansites I was managing at Vault Network. Came across this one really level-headed, avid gamer on the Dungeon Runner forums that I scooped up to help on LOTROVault. Hmmm... what was that guy's name... oh yeah... Bill Murphy.
Feedback from guys like Bill (and from what I can tell of your posts here, most likely you, as well) gets noticed by the devs. It's usually more reasonable and less emotional than most of the feedback and that goes a long way toward helping the devs figure out what the actual concerns are and properly addressing them.
I remember a lot of the Dungeon Runners UI changes were based on player feedback, and many of the changes to the various zones in Auto Assault were driven by player feedback, as well. In DUST 514 beta, player feedback helped improve a lot of the UI and gameplay. Several of those early contributors are on the current Council of Planetary Management, which is a team that brings player views and concerns directly to the devs. As a result of beta tester feedback, the LOTRO devs improved both the game world and how players navigate it, including creating a tier of more detailed maps for key places like the city of Bree and changes to the terrain.
You're definitely right that Beta players can influence the development of the game.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
The software companies have now convinced people that it's in their best interest to pay the developers for Alpha/Beta access by making them believe that they have an influence on the games design and quality.
Here is some news for all of you. You have no influence on them whatsoever. You are here to provide extra cash while the game is not even released yet. If it's not a feature they already thought about they will not implement it just because a few Alpha players want it. You will not influence anything at all, the game will still release way too early with way too many bugs and you all be crying and writing it off after a few months.
Specifically in this case where the game is FREE TO PLAY it's insane to give them the equivalent of a full price AAA release or even more!
I will never support any game that does these kind of early access packs. Paying up to $100 to test the game for them and for a few cosmetic, meaningless items in a game is completely crazy!
How we got in this mess? Well I can tell you the number of AAA MMOs that I bought full price and spent a monthly sub when it went Live. And 80% of them were pure trash. The first go around with FF XIV was the worse MMO experience I ever had. It was so bad that I swore off ALL Asian MMOs, and I have (knock on wood) gone clean from them for a few years now. For FF XIV, I wish they had a $20 buy in on Closed beta, it would of saved me 80 bucks and I would of screamed at them that their game was not ready for Prime time and saved them millions of dollars in the long run.
These MMO companies are being rushed from producers and fans alike to push out unfinished products is another problem. However with this model were a greater number of Alpha/Beta testers who yes are invested because they spent money already will be the people telling the Devs what works and what doesn't. Free beta testers tend to play the game and if they don't like it, they move on. Probably won't report all bugs thinking someone else will do it, or just not care as much as someone who actually spent money on a product.
I see this as a good thing for everyone. Especially for people who are burned by MMO companies in the past by unfinished or tired/lazy products. We may actually get some better games for the future of Next Gen MMO games..
I'm really considering the Explorer pack but haven't put any money down yet.
I would be interested in knowing what the theoretical break down of the each item's value in the packs were to know why they came up with those prices. I'm guessing they will price outfits at $10.
If you look at other games that are charging for "closed beta" access now a days the state the game is in when you get into them is more like open beta. If you look at games like Hearthstone and Infinite Crisis the amount of people able to play non-stop for weeks/months in an almost bug free game are open beta numbers.
At this point we know more about EQN then we do about EQL. What am I buying? Founders pack up for sale and I have yet to see any game play videos. List of classes or crafting classes. More questions then answers. At what point is it valid to give your money for a product? Not 100% sure but I do know its not now!
Originally posted by Nanfoodle At this point we know more about EQN then we do about EQL. What am I buying? Founders pack up for sale and I have yet to see any game play videos. List of classes or crafting classes. More questions then answers. At what point is it valid to give your money for a product? Not 100% sure but I do know its not now!
There is only one class and it can do all the crafts. This is not a piece of information that was hard to find in any way. We have seen videos of what is finished so far which is building stuff. There is a new livestream coming out tonight that includes them building something with Landmark so probably a good thing to check out tomorrow.
If there's a preview (open "beta") I'll play that to see if I like the game. Otherwise I'll wait until it's launched. I'm very ambivalent about the whole EQN:L concept at the moment. I'm actually losing enthusiasm the more I see of it...
Well I can tell you the number of AAA MMOs that I bought full price and spent a monthly sub when it went Live. And 80% of them were pure trash. The first go around with FF XIV was the worse MMO experience I ever had. It was so bad that I swore off ALL Asian MMOs, and I have (knock on wood) gone clean from them for a few years now. For FF XIV, I wish they had a $20 buy in on Closed beta, it would of saved me 80 bucks and I would of screamed at them that their game was not ready for Prime time and saved them millions of dollars in the long run.
These MMO companies are being rushed from producers and fans alike to push out unfinished products is another problem. However with this model were a greater number of Alpha/Beta testers who yes are invested because they spent money already will be the people telling the Devs what works and what doesn't. Free beta testers tend to play the game and if they don't like it, they move on. Probably won't report all bugs thinking someone else will do it, or just not care as much as someone who actually spent money on a product.
I see this as a good thing for everyone. Especially for people who are burned by MMO companies in the past by unfinished or tired/lazy products. We may actually get some better games for the future of Next Gen MMO games..
I agree
I wasn't in the beta for Anarchy Online, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online but I regret buying them
yes, it's my own fault for buying any game during launch week
but i prefer this method to buying an unknown retail game at release
Originally posted by Nanfoodle At this point we know more about EQN then we do about EQL. What am I buying? Founders pack up for sale and I have yet to see any game play videos. List of classes or crafting classes. More questions then answers. At what point is it valid to give your money for a product? Not 100% sure but I do know its not now!
There is only one class and it can do all the crafts. This is not a piece of information that was hard to find in any way. We have seen videos of what is finished so far which is building stuff. There is a new livestream coming out tonight that includes them building something with Landmark so probably a good thing to check out tomorrow.
They have stated there will be more then one class. Not as profound as EQN multi-classing but probably the usual of mmos: tank, healer, caster, hack n slash.
They have stated there will be more then one class. Not as profound as EQN multi-classing but probably the usual of mmos: tank, healer, caster, hack n slash.
I would think more Minecraft Survival and less MMORPG.
In fact I would be stunned if they went with a Trinity format for Landmark, after how the vilified that combat system at SOE Live.
If they would have added SC coin to purchase like they did with dragons prophet that would have made me buy it. but for me i am just going to wait it out, i mean you will not get in for another 3 months!! I am sure they will have other pack sales. plus the items you get did not seem so great, sure alpha access but everything else did not add up to $50 or $100.
usually these pre order or pre access sales actually give you items or perks close to the worth of the $ amount and the early access is the bonus for paying up early NOT the main reason to pay.
Comments
What pre-order?! The game is FREE to play when it goes live. There will be no fixed price to buy the game. However I can understand you not wanting to spend money atm so waiting might be best for you.
I said that if it's not a feature planned already or has been deemed financially viable by them they won't implement it. Don't kid yourself, look back on the influences and tell me just one that was drastic enough to be a game changer.
$20 is fine, that is along the likes of indie games or kickstarters, i don't see a problem with that. It's the $50 and up that i think is nothing but a way to extract money from people. The worthless shit they add to these $100 founders packs is what gets me, as if any of it is worth even a penny.
That's what I find funny some of these people who gladly spend $60+ dollars and $15 monthly to play when it goes live. But an MMO comes along and gives the option to play on Closed Beta for as cheap as $20 and will NOT cost a dime to play because it will be FREE to play when it does actually go Live... they scream they are getting ripped off. It defies logic.
I'm quite interested in hearing about about your closed beta influences.
I didn't say mine, I said the player base. Pretty much every caster in SC2 went through massive changes based on user feedback. In WoW they completely removed invisibility from Wizards. They took away rage on demand from warriors, revamped Mortal Strike, lowered XP in dungeons, made mobs easier, took bucklers out of the game etc. DAOC changed how dark the night was. Shadowbane revamped the crowd control system etc. These games change a ton in beta based on player feedback.
Congrats.
I think what the potential players can take away from the Alpha/pre-Beta hype is that there are paid players who have a truly invested interest.
Oh, as an aside, I would like to mention that It is fairly well recognized that you like to stir the pot without any real substance. Let's go HERE, as one example of many. I'm looking forward to a reasonable reply.
Joined 2004 - I can't believe I've been a MMORPG.com member for 20 years! Get off my lawn!
If no consumer paid anything in Free to Play mmo's, they would not exist. Why are you laughing at the people responsible for keeping the game free to play for people like you? You really should be thanking those people that have those flags up.
I could start calling people like you cheap-azzes, and inconsiderate and immoral and poor and bla bla bla... but i'm a better man. I just hope you take the literal 2 seconds it takes to understand people like myself are here to pay for these games so you can keep playing.
Your welcome
Was considering spending the station cash I received as part of my founder's pack for Dragon's Prophet (God damn what a horrible mistake that was) on the cheapest one, but lo and behold, it's mysteriously vanished from my account. The transaction for the founder's pack is still listed, just no SC.
Sony has yet to replay to my support ticket, but needless to say if they refuse to restore what I paid for, they'll never be seeing a penny of my money ever again, and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll make sure to tell everyone who's even remotely interested in anything they produce all about it.
I'd rather it not come to that, though...
AN' DERE AIN'T NO SUCH FING AS ENUFF DAKKA, YA GROT! Enuff'z more than ya got an' less than too much an' there ain't no such fing as too much dakka. Say dere is, and me Squiggoff'z eatin' tonight!
We are born of the blood. Made men by the blood. Undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. FEAR THE OLD BLOOD.
#IStandWithVic
If you look at what SOE has done with EQ1 and EQ2 recently, you'll see a pattern.
Oh, so you're the one that ruined those games. J/K. One thing I keep getting confused on with EQL (mostly from forum battle over whether 40/60 split for made items is fair) is the people arguing seemed to be working off different data from the same article. Those supporting it thought that the creators that sell items was using all SOE software /tools to create, but the opposed said that creators needed all out of game programs/tools and many were expensive and needed training to use well.
Just wanted a clear up of this because it make me wonder at how EQL is going to play out. It seems only a small amount of players would have the software or xtra money to get it or skills needed to use. So what are the other players doing in game. Just making buildings with Landmark tools and then tearing it down and making more stuff. I know they might be adding combat after launch (PvP, mob based pve, resource control? Didn't see anything conclusive about it. Maybe missed it). It's f2p, so they have to make money so selling land? CS for better tools? Maybe because I've never played minecraft (though have other buildish type games), I'm not seeing the long-term appeal to what they are offering.
Sorry, I've gone off-point. To OP, I don't support paying to beta or early access, but don't see the harm in other doing so, as it is a way to support game and get something for it. I prefer to support game through subs. Its kinda nice to have f2p to try it and then sub if you want full game with no CS, but most f2p games have community troubles. Besides the asshats that join just to mess with people, most f2pers are tourists that play for a bit and leave when the next new game comes out, maybe returning on occasion. You can't build a solid community with people coming and going so much. Well, I'm rambling again. I just hope EQN turns out well.
So the fact I tend to disagree with you means I like to stir the pot? We view games from a very different viewpoint is all it means. Very few of my posts are negative, I tend to give game developers the benefit of the doubt. YOu seem to be a poster that assumes you are being deceived for no reason other than that the devs exist to make money. There is a pretty huge middle ground here.
Seriously though, your idea of me liking to stir the pot is to link to the fact I have disagreed on you on one specific subject multiple times? Give me a break.
Some people are just an amazing asset during the beta phase, and it definitely gets recognized. When I worked for IGN, the beta forums for various games is where I found several of the people I hired to contribute to the fansites I was managing at Vault Network. Came across this one really level-headed, avid gamer on the Dungeon Runner forums that I scooped up to help on LOTROVault. Hmmm... what was that guy's name... oh yeah... Bill Murphy.
Feedback from guys like Bill (and from what I can tell of your posts here, most likely you, as well) gets noticed by the devs. It's usually more reasonable and less emotional than most of the feedback and that goes a long way toward helping the devs figure out what the actual concerns are and properly addressing them.
I remember a lot of the Dungeon Runners UI changes were based on player feedback, and many of the changes to the various zones in Auto Assault were driven by player feedback, as well. In DUST 514 beta, player feedback helped improve a lot of the UI and gameplay. Several of those early contributors are on the current Council of Planetary Management, which is a team that brings player views and concerns directly to the devs. As a result of beta tester feedback, the LOTRO devs improved both the game world and how players navigate it, including creating a tier of more detailed maps for key places like the city of Bree and changes to the terrain.
You're definitely right that Beta players can influence the development of the game.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
How we got in this mess? Well I can tell you the number of AAA MMOs that I bought full price and spent a monthly sub when it went Live. And 80% of them were pure trash. The first go around with FF XIV was the worse MMO experience I ever had. It was so bad that I swore off ALL Asian MMOs, and I have (knock on wood) gone clean from them for a few years now. For FF XIV, I wish they had a $20 buy in on Closed beta, it would of saved me 80 bucks and I would of screamed at them that their game was not ready for Prime time and saved them millions of dollars in the long run.
These MMO companies are being rushed from producers and fans alike to push out unfinished products is another problem. However with this model were a greater number of Alpha/Beta testers who yes are invested because they spent money already will be the people telling the Devs what works and what doesn't. Free beta testers tend to play the game and if they don't like it, they move on. Probably won't report all bugs thinking someone else will do it, or just not care as much as someone who actually spent money on a product.
I see this as a good thing for everyone. Especially for people who are burned by MMO companies in the past by unfinished or tired/lazy products. We may actually get some better games for the future of Next Gen MMO games..
I'm really considering the Explorer pack but haven't put any money down yet.
I would be interested in knowing what the theoretical break down of the each item's value in the packs were to know why they came up with those prices. I'm guessing they will price outfits at $10.
If you look at other games that are charging for "closed beta" access now a days the state the game is in when you get into them is more like open beta. If you look at games like Hearthstone and Infinite Crisis the amount of people able to play non-stop for weeks/months in an almost bug free game are open beta numbers.
Closed Beta is the new Open Beta.
There is only one class and it can do all the crafts. This is not a piece of information that was hard to find in any way. We have seen videos of what is finished so far which is building stuff. There is a new livestream coming out tonight that includes them building something with Landmark so probably a good thing to check out tomorrow.
Going to wait.
If there's a preview (open "beta") I'll play that to see if I like the game. Otherwise I'll wait until it's launched. I'm very ambivalent about the whole EQN:L concept at the moment. I'm actually losing enthusiasm the more I see of it...
I agree
I wasn't in the beta for Anarchy Online, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online but I regret buying them
yes, it's my own fault for buying any game during launch week
but i prefer this method to buying an unknown retail game at release
EQ2 fan sites
They have stated there will be more then one class. Not as profound as EQN multi-classing but probably the usual of mmos: tank, healer, caster, hack n slash.
I would think more Minecraft Survival and less MMORPG.
In fact I would be stunned if they went with a Trinity format for Landmark, after how the vilified that combat system at SOE Live.
If they would have added SC coin to purchase like they did with dragons prophet that would have made me buy it. but for me i am just going to wait it out, i mean you will not get in for another 3 months!! I am sure they will have other pack sales. plus the items you get did not seem so great, sure alpha access but everything else did not add up to $50 or $100.
usually these pre order or pre access sales actually give you items or perks close to the worth of the $ amount and the early access is the bonus for paying up early NOT the main reason to pay.
Feb. 28th 2014 is the very last day that Alpha could be started. It could start tomorrow for all we know.
It says 'on or before' Feb. 28th 2014 Alpha will start.